A Philippine court has ordered the arrest of Vice President Sara Duterte over allegations that she threatened the lives of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, intensifying a political conflict that could affect the 2028 national elections.
The warrant was issued on Friday, September 4, 2026. It names Duterte, 48, in three counts of grave threat, one for each alleged target. Bail was set at 120,000 pesos ($1,900) for each count.
The criminal case arises from a virtual press conference in November 2024, when Duterte spoke of an apparent assassination plot targeting Marcos, his wife and Romualdez if she were killed.
At that press conference, Duterte said in Filipino: “I already talked to someone—I told him, If I'm killed, kill [Marcos], Liza Araneta, and Martin Romualdez” and “I already gave orders. If I die, I told them, Don't stop until they're dead.”
Duterte has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
The allegations concerning the three figures have become part of a separate impeachment case against Duterte in the Philippine Senate.
Duterte is currently standing trial in the Senate, which is serving as an impeachment court, after she was impeached a second time in May 2026. The complaint includes the alleged threats and allegations of misuse of public funds during her time as Vice President and as Education Secretary.
Duterte's lawyer said in a statement: “Regardless of the question on jurisdiction, she has no intention of evading the law and will continue to exercise all her legal remedies.”
The overlapping proceedings carry different potential consequences. A guilty verdict in the impeachment trial would remove Duterte from office and bar her from running in the 2028 national elections.
Duterte has said she plans to contest the presidency in the 2028 national elections. Philippine law allows candidates to run for public office while facing pending criminal charges. The Senate trial therefore places her political future alongside the criminal case arising from the November 2024 remarks.
It remains unclear whether Duterte has been taken into custody, whether she has posted bail or surrendered to authorities, when the impeachment court will reach a verdict, or whether any other officials will face charges connected to the alleged threats.
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